After announcing her departure from VfL Wolfsburg at the end of last season, the destination for Kathrin “Kathy” Hendrich has been revealed. The German defender will be joining the Chicago Stars in the USA’s national Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

The Chicago Stars officially announced the signing of the 33-year-old on Wednesday. “Kathy” Hendrich has signed a two-year contract, which includes an exit clause after the first year. She joins the Stars as a free agent after her contract with VfL Wolfsburg concluded.

“It is ‘very exciting’,” said Hendrich, marking her first professional experience abroad. “I can’t wait to meet my new teammates adn look forward to the new challenge and to play in front of our fans.” She is expected to join the team after the European Championship (July 2nd to 27th).

chicago Welcomes Hendrich

“Hendrich ‘has proven her great defensive talent in the Bundesliga and internationally and will strengthen our defense.'”

Richard Feuz, managing director of the Chicago Stars, stated that Hendrich “has proven her great defensive talent in the bundesliga and internationally and will strengthen our defense.” He added that her “immense experience” will provide “valuable support for our younger players.”

Hendrich played for vfl Wolfsburg from 2020 to 2025, winning the German Championship in 2022 and the DFB Cup four times. In 2015, she won the Champions League with 1st FFC Frankfurt (now Eintracht Frankfurt). She also represented Germany at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and secured an Olympic Bronze medal in Paris in 2024.